By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka
Abuja
The Director-General (DG) of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Dr. Ola Awakan, has announced plans to establish a Smart Tourism Hub at his alma mater, Olabisi Onabanjo University, in a move aimed at expanding virtual access to Nigeria’s tourist sites while driving learning, innovation and revenue generation for students. The DG made the disclosure during a homecoming visit to OOU, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Omolola Ola Awakan, also an alumna.
Awakan was received by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ayodeji Agboola and the university management team, in what the VC described as a “full-circle moment defined by pride, recognition, and forward-looking collaboration.” The NTDA boss toured upgraded facilities, including the institution’s state-of-the-art ICT Centre — regarded as one of the largest in the country — which he said reflects OOU’s commitment to innovation and academic excellence.
The visit featured a cultural highlight at the Performing Arts Department, where students staged an excerpt of Awakan’s play, Echoes of the Drums, in his honour. The Vice-Chancellor hailed the DG as a “worthy ambassador” of the university, praising his passion for excellence and commitment to giving back. “We are delighted that he is making waves and doing Mr. President proud,” Agboola said, adding that the Smart Tourism Hub was “timely and impactful” for a youth-dominated population.
Speaking on the initiative, Awakan tied tourism to Nigeria’s economic future, echoing President Bola Tinubu’s diversification agenda. “The only viable path away from oil is tourism. Many countries have transformed their economies through tourism, and for Nigeria, we have far more potential than we realize,” he said. He confirmed NTDA will partner with OOU on initiatives beyond the hub, noting: “It is about giving back to an institution that has shaped me into who and what I am today.”
Awakan also revealed plans for NTDA to collaborate with universities and relevant agencies* to develop robust tourism-focused curricula, positioning the sector as a driver of job creation and economic growth. Prof. Agboola noted that initiatives like the hub “open the eyes of our students and create opportunities for them, even beyond graduation,” stressing that building on youth potential makes the future bright.
*6. In recognition of his achievements, the Department of Mass Communication, from which Awakan graduated, conferred on him the Great Ambassador Award for his professional accomplishments and exemplary representation of the institution. The visit was described as a testament to the power of alumni engagement and institutional collaboration in inspiring students and advancing Nigeria’s tourism sector.
